Stakes winner Fiya euthanized after suffering injury during workout

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Fiya, a multiple-stakes-winning Maryland-bred gelding, suffered a fractured right hind leg during a workout Saturday morning over Saratoga’s main track and had to be euthanized.

Fiya was working toward a start in Friday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Troy Stakes on the turf.

The fatal injury occurred exactly one year after Fiya was purchased for $400,000 by Robert Masiello off the Wanamaker’s online auction. Since then, Fiya had won four of five starts - including a Maryland-bred stakes and the Claiming Crown Canterbury - for Masiello and trainer Tom Albertrani.

Prior to that sale, Fiya ran for trainer Michael Merryman and owner-breeder Ann Merryman, winning two of four starts.

Fiya, a 4-year-old gelding by Friesan Fire, had a record of 6-1-1 from nine starts and earnings of $239,696.

“I’m heartbroken and crestfallen about Fiya,” said Masiello, who noted this was one of the first horses he purchased on his own after having owned horses in the West Point Thoroughbred partnership. “The reason I sent him to Tommy is he keeps his horses very, very sound. This was obviously a freak thing.

Masiello was at Saratoga Saturday morning to watch the workout.

“Putting him down part is really the difficult part,” Masiello said. “In terms of the racing career stuff, I bought this horse last July thinking about running in the Jaipur, running in the Troy. I’ve been coming up here with my family since I was a kid. As an owner I put some pressure on myself to run in these races, but after COVID I just want to be with my family. I’m thankful to be up here with my friends and family this year, so from that perspective it’s okay.”

Fiya is the fourth training or racing-related equine fatality at Saratoga since July 16.

On Friday, Albertrani learned of the death from laminitis of Bernardini, the champion 3-year-old of 2006 whom Albertrani trained to victories in the Preakness, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

“We’re all pretty bummed out,” Albertrani said. “It’s unfortunate. Tough couple of days.”